Month: September 2022

Champion filly Echo Zulu broke alertly from the rail and used her tactical speed to wire the field of five 3-year-old fillies in Saturday night's 47^th running of the $274,000 Dogwood Stakes (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., by a widening 5 ¼ lengths over Grade 1-placed Tarabi.

Campaigned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen for owners L and N Racing LLC (Lee Levinson) and Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell), Echo Zulu covered seven furlongs in 1:22.43 under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.

“(Echo Zulu) is such a special filly,” Asmussen said. “She's a champion and it's very thrilling seeing her get back to her winning ways. It's unbelievably exciting for the entire team.”

Echo Zulu, last year's 2-year-old filly Eclipse Award-winner after a dominant 5 ¼-length victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in late March, was set to run in the $500,000 Acorn (G1) on the June 11 Belmont Stakes undercard but was a late scratch on the way to the starting gate after the track veterinarian perceived lameness in her left foreleg. A subsequent nuclear scan evaluation revealed a minor strain in her left front suspensory ligament, and she went more than nine weeks without a published workout.

With five breezes under her, Echo Zulu made her first start 141 days after finishing fourth in the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), a race in which she chased Yuugiri's fast pace before she weakened to finish three lengths back of winner Secret Oath and one back of divisional leader Nest.

The cutback to seven furlongs wasn't an issue for Echo Zulu, who rolled to comfortable one-turn victories in the Spinaway (G1) and Frizette (G1) during her 2021 championship campaign.

Breaking from the rail, Santana sent Echo Zulu right to the front where she clipped off fractions of :22.92 and :45.82 as Gunning, Colorful Mischief and Tarabi chased about a length behind. Leaving the turn, Echo Zulu spurted clear as Tarabi raced along the inside and quickly opened a 3 ½-length advantage with a furlong to run. She continued to widen her advantage in the final sixteenth of a mile under a hand ride for the comeback win.

“She seems to do her best running when you leave her alone,” Santana said. “She was going fast but she was doing it comfortably. She's a very special filly. I'm so grateful she was able to get back to the winner's circle tonight.”

The $169,500 first prize jumped Echo Zulu's earnings to near multi-millionaire status at $1,946,375 from a record of 6-0-0 in seven starts.

Sent off as the odds-on 1-2 favorite, Echo Zulu paid $3.02, $2.24 and $2.10. Tarabi, the 5-2 second betting choice ridden by Javier Castellano, returned $2.44 and $2.14. Colorful Mischief, at 11-1 with Gerardo Corrales up, was 1 ½ lengths back of the runner-up and paid $2.78 to show. Last Leaf and Gunning completed the order of finish. Chasing Fireflies and Echo Zulu's stablemate Wicked Halo were scratched.

Echo Zulu is a daughter of Gun Runner out of the Menifee mare Letgomyecho and was bred in Kentucky by Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby.

Gun Runner also sired the winners of Saturday's Seneca Overnight Stakes (Sixtythreecaliber) and Harrods Creek (Gunite) as well as the Grade 1 Cotillion (Society) and Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby (Taiba).

“Gun Runner has had five stakes winners today and two Grade 1 wins. It's unbelievable,” Asmussen said.

The Dogwood is named for the hardy, blooming tree that adds so much beauty to the spring landscape in Kentucky.

DOGWOOD QUOTES

Ricardo Santana Jr., (jockey, Echo Zulu, winner) – “She seems to do her best running when you leave her alone. She was going fast but she was doing it comfortably. She's a very special filly. I'm so grateful she was able to get back to the winner's circle tonight.”

Steve Asmussen, (trainer, Echo Zulu, winner) – “Gun Runner has had five stakes winners today and two Grade I wins. It's unbelievable. (Echo Zulu) is such a special filly. She's a champion and it's very thrilling seeing her get back to her winning ways. It's unbelievably exciting for the entire team.”

Javier Castellano, (jockey, Tarabi, runner-up) – “She ran hard but we just ended up being second best tonight.”

The post Champion Echo Zulu’s Dogwood Victory Gives Sire Gun Runner Fifth Stakes Winner In One Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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William Branch's Carotari, returning to the site of his most recent victory, fended off Comedy Town the length of the stretch and got his nose down in time for a dramatic triumph in the $100,000 Laurel Dash Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

The 24th running of the Laurel Dash for 3-year-olds and up sprinting five furlongs on the grass anchored four stakes worth $400,000 in purses on the final Saturday program of the nine-day fall meet.

In earlier stakes, Can the Queen defended her title in the $100,000 Sensible Lady Turf Dash, Smash Ticket dominated the $100,000 Weather Vane, and Benevengo won the $100,000 Polynesian.

Carotari, a gelded son Artie Schiller, had finished off the board in back-to-back stakes since winning the five-furlong Jim McKay Turf Sprint May 21 on the undercard of the 147th Preakness Stakes (G1), his 6-year-old season debut. That victory, like the Laurel Dash, came in front-running fashion though by a comfortable 1 ½ lengths.

“There wasn't a whole lot of options, to be honest,” Erin Lynch, wife and assistant to trainer Brian Lynch, said. “There is no turf at Churchill at the moment, which is where we're based, so it was either [run] here or go against the big guns at Keeneland and we know he likes this track because he won here on Preakness day. So, this was the obvious choice.”

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in a field of seven, Carotari was guided to the front by jockey Kendrick Carmouche, who was also aboard Smash Ticket two races earlier. They went the opening quarter-mile in 22.06 seconds chased by Comedy Town, who closed the gap to a half-length after four furlongs went in :44.53.

The two were inseparable as they straightened for home, with Carotari digging in along the rail and Angel Cruz encouraging Comedy Town to his outside. They separated from the field and approached the wire together with Carotari winning the head bob after covering the distance in 56.20 seconds over the firm course.

“I just was thinking, 'Hang on there, buddy,'” Lynch said. “He can get a little intimidated on the inside there sometimes, so I was just hoping he was going to put his head down at the right time and he did.”

It was another length back to Matta, who was two lengths better than Grateful Bred for third. They were followed by Justwaveandsmile, Spycraft and Sky's Not Falling. Defend was scratched.

A claim of foul by Feargal Lynch, the rider of Matta, against Carotari alleging interference shortly after the start was dismissed by the stewards.

The Laurel Dash was the 11th career win and sixth in a stakes for Carotari, the others coming at Gulfstream Park and Ellis Park. He also finished second by a half-length in the 2021 Troy (G3) at Saratoga, and is approaching $700,000 in purse earnings from 29 starts.

“So proud of him. He is just the coolest horse,” Lynch said. “He's such a cool dude.”

Can The Queen Scores Repeat In Sensible Lady Turf Dash

Joanne Shankle's Can the Queen will reign for another year after reeling in pacesetter Spicy Marg and drawing away by 1 ¾ lengths to defend her title in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash.

Ridden by Jean Alvelo, Can the Queen ($18.40) completed the distance in :56.60 over a firm course and provided Shankle with her first stakes victory as a trainer, six days after registering her first training win. The multiple stakes-winning owner had worked the past 10 years as an assistant to Rudy Sanchez-Salomon.

It was also the third straight win from five career tries over the Pimlico course, all three wins coming in stakes following the 2021 Sensible Lady and May 20 The Very One.

“I thought she would be more of a favorite than a long shot,” Shankle said. “She loves this turf course here.”

Spicy Marg, trained by Wesley Ward, was intent on the lead from her outside post position and rocketed through a quarter-mile in 21.77 seconds and a half in 44.55 as Dontletsweetfoolya, a multiple stakes winner on dirt, and Can the Queen gave closest chase. Spicy Marg turned for home still in front and going well but Can the Queen gained steadily through the lane.

“I was told to try and get her to the lead [or] try to get her close. I just kept her busy and kept her close, and she just responded. She did really well,” Alvelo said. “I was thinking if she just keeps running the same pace she's going to run right [by] him. She had a lot in her and when I asked her, she just gave me even more.”

Whispurring Kitten closed stoutly from far back to be second, a neck ahead of 30-1 long shot Can't Buy Love. It was another nose back to Spicy Marg, followed by Honey Pants, Ellanation, Dontletsweetfoolya, Miss J McKay, Creative Credit, Grade 3 winner Robin Sparkles and Golden Can.

Can the Queen now has seven wins from 19 career starts. She entered the Sensible Lady have run seventh, beaten 4 ¼ lengths, in the 5 ½-furlong Jameela contested over a Laurel Park turf course July 30.

“She was doing well,” Shankle said. “We gave her a little break in between the race. She worked very well last time and I knew she was going to show up.”

Smash Ticket Impressive in Weather Vane Victory

Brad King, Stan Kirby, Suzanne Kirby and Barbara Coleman's Smash Ticket registered her first stakes victory in emphatic fashion, sprinting to a popular front-running 6 ¼-length decision in the Weather Vane.

Ridden by Kendrick Carmouche for trainer Rob Atras, both based in New York, Smash Ticket ($4) was never threatened in extending her win streak to three races, all this year. She returned from nearly 10 months away to capture a Lone Star allowance May 30 for previous trainer Todd Fincher before a gutsy neck triumph over older horses July 20 at Saratoga, also with Carmouche aboard.

“I thought she improved at least five, six lengths underneath me,” Carmouche said. “I know last time Rob told me he never had her where he wanted her for the race, but I thought she was the best filly in that race at Saratoga. Coming into this race when I warmed her up, man she felt so good and she was nice and relaxed, not sweating like last time. I knew Rob had her very, very tight today.”

Smash Ticket broke running as the even-money favorite from Post 2, posting fractions of :23.12 and “45.35 seconds pressed by fellow New York shipper Elm Drive. Smash Ticket ran third behind Elm Drive in last August's Sorrento (G2) at Del Mar, which wound up being Smash Ticket's 2-year-old season finale.

Smash Ticket put away Elm Drive once straightened for home, going five furlongs in :56.60 and opening up down the stretch to win in 1:09.99 for the six furlongs over a fast main track.

Brad Cox-trained Famed came running late for second, 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Moody Woman, who edged Swayin to and Fro by a nose for third.

Glowsity, Elm Drive, May 21 Miss Preakness (G3) winner Lady Scarlet, Buy the Best, Sweet Gracie and Sweet Solare completed the order of finish.

“I thought she was the fastest horse in the race. I knew I would get a little pressure probably for the first quarter of a mile,” Carmouche said. “Rob took his time getting this horse back to the races. She warmed up really, really good today, better than last time, and I knew when she left there today I could get her to settle really good, and she did the rest. You don't have to do much on good horses.”

Benevengo Wins Polynesian

Wasabi Ventures Stables LLC's Benevengo, a former $25,000 claimer who finished fifth in the Haskell (G1) last time out, went gate-to-wire in the Polynesian, winning by 7 ½ lengths.

A 3-year-old son of Gormley trained by Jesus Cruz and ridden by Angel Cruz, Benevengo covered the 1 1/16-mile in 1:43.62. Double Crown was second and Rough Sea was third.

Claimed out of his winning debut at Tampa in February for $25,000, Benevengo has won three of six starts, all three gate-to-wire. Breaking on top in the Polynesian, Benevengo cruised through fractions of :23.64, :47 and 1:11.10. Sea Foam, who broke a bit awkwardly, chased the winner from second but couldn't get close down the stretch.

“When I saw [Sea Foam] didn't break good I just took the lead and hoped for a slow pace,” said Angel Cruz.

“When I saw the :47 I said that it's over,” said Jesus Cruz.

Benevengo, who has now beaten older horses twice, may start next in the Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs.

The post Carotari Takes Laurel Dash, Three Others Win $100,000 Stakes At Pimlico appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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By Nolan Clancy/Parx Racing

Nicholas Cammarano's Scaramouche ran his Parx Racing winning streak to six with a victory in Saturday's 29th running of the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2).

Trained by Parx-based Guadalupe Preciado, the 3-year-old colt by Munnings broke from post 14 post to take the 6-furlong stakes in a 1:10.38 over the fast track.

Scaramouche, ridden by John Velasquez, sat just off the pace in fourth behind front runner Speaking, who covered the opening quarter mile in :21.97 with company from Little Vic and Lightening Larry.

Scaramouche joined the trio into the far turn, rounding them four-wide as they ran past the half in :45.03. Scaramouche found the lead with an eighth of a mile to go, and held off a late challenge from Of a Revolution, who saved ground early under Flavien Prat, to win by a half-length.

Runninsonofagun closed gamely to finish third under Luis Saez, while Nakatomi finished fourth under Joel Rosario. Witty, Speaking, Dance Code, Provocateur, Lightning Larry, Little Vic, Jelly Nougat, Alottahope, and Practical Coach completed the field.

The Gallant Bob, the 10th race on betPARX Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Stakes Day card at Parx Racing, marked the first graded stakes win for Cammarano and his 3-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding.

Winning owner Nicholas Cammarano Jr.: “It's my first graded stakes win, so I've got to swallow it all. This is going to sink in eventually, but it's just awesome. Lupe did such a great job with the horse, and the whole team we got has been really doing good. We were worried about being in the 14-post, but we had a good rider and he ran on.”

Winning trainer Guadalupe Preciado: “The way this horse has been running lately, we ran long one time, and he finished the same way as he does sprinting. If you look at the father Munnings, he's got a lot of nice horses, but not many run past a mile.”

Winning jockey John Velazquez: “That was very good.  That was a nice pick-up mount. The position that we had after he broke good it was enough and we waited to get a little more position. As soon as we got to the turn, we were three- or four-wide. I was coming through and I thought hopefully I could save a little ground and save a little horse and he'd have something down the lane, and he did.”

On outside post: “There was nothing we could, that was the position that we had. The 14 position, really all you can do is try and get a position and not lose too much ground, and then try to save a little bit.”

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr (Of a Revolution, second): “He ran well and he got there, but a nice horse beat him. I'm proud of him. I think he handled the track and all, it's just a good horse beat him. That horse kept running. He wasn't stopping. Looks like the track is playing well. Some are winning on the inside. Some are winning on the outside today.”

Jockey Flavien Prat (Of a Revolution, second): “He ran super, a good race. He made a good move on the outside but just didn't get there. We were happy with it.”

John Toscano Jr. (Runninsonofagun, third): “I can't take it. It was brutal. At the three-eighths pole he had to practically stand up on him, he's all the way back, then he had to drop him to the rail and he can't get through on the rail. It was too much to overcome. He tries. He really tries. I'd like to claim 10 more like him if they're out there somewhere. Hopefully we can find more.”

Jockey Luis Saez (Runninsonofagun, third): “He didn't get a clean trip. He had a really rough trip. He clipped heels at one point, almost went down. Somebody hit him from behind. Then I tried to go to the rail but I was too far out. Had no choice. But he made a nice move.”

The post Horse For Course Scaramouche Continues Parx Win Streak In Gallant Bob, Gives Owner First Graded Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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